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How to get fromCalifornia to Great Barrier Reefby plane, ferry, or train

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There are 8 ways to get from California to Great Barrier Reef by plane, ferry, or train

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

  1. Fly Los Angeles International Airport to Cairns, ferry

    best
    1. Fly from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Cairns (CNS)plane plane LAX - CNS
    2. Take the ferry from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to Great Barrier Reef Green Islandferry ferry
    24h 6m
    $1,124–2,231

  2. Fly San Francisco International Airport to Cairns, ferry

    cheapest
    1. Fly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Cairns (CNS)plane plane SFO - CNS
    2. Take the ferry from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to Great Barrier Reef Green Islandferry ferry
    25h 1m
    $729–2,332

  3. Fly San Diego International Airport to Cairns, ferry

    1. Fly from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Cairns (CNS)plane plane SAN - CNS
    2. Take the ferry from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to Great Barrier Reef Green Islandferry ferry
    27h 32m
    $817–2,620

  4. Fly Meadows Field Airport to Cairns, ferry

    1. Fly from Meadows Field Airport (BFL) to Cairns (CNS)plane plane BFL - CNS
    2. Take the ferry from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to Great Barrier Reef Green Islandferry ferry
    29h 8m
    $947–2,853

  5. Fly Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport to Cairns, ferry

    1. Fly from Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) to Cairns (CNS)plane plane SJC - CNS
    2. Take the ferry from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to Great Barrier Reef Green Islandferry ferry
    26h 46m
    $1,121–2,921

  6. Fly Fresno Yosemite International Airport to Cairns, ferry

    1. Fly from Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) to Cairns (CNS)plane plane FAT - CNS
    2. Take the ferry from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to Great Barrier Reef Green Islandferry ferry
    30h 16m
    $764–2,414

  7. Fly San Francisco International Airport to Townsville Airport, train, ferry

    1. Fly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Townsville Airport (TSV)plane plane SFO - TSV
    2. Take the train from Townsville to Cairns Central Stationtrain train
    3. Take the ferry from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to Great Barrier Reef Green Islandferry ferry
    32h 14m
    $776–3,434

  8. Fly Los Angeles International Airport to Townsville Airport, train, ferry

    1. Fly from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Townsville Airport (TSV)plane plane LAX - TSV
    2. Take the train from Townsville to Cairns Central Stationtrain train
    3. Take the ferry from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to Great Barrier Reef Green Islandferry ferry
    31h 14m
    $821–3,733

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Cairns (CNS) flights

Calendar36Weekly Planes
Duration19h 26mAverage Duration
Ticket$728Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from California to Great Barrier Reef.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 11,628.7 km
  • Duration: 24h 6m

What companies run services between California, USA and Great Barrier Reef, QLD, Australia?

There is no direct connection from California to Great Barrier Reef. However, you can take the bus to LAX Tom Bradley International Terminal, walk to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) airport, fly to Cairns (CNS), walk to Cairns Airport, take the shuttle to Cairns Base Hospital, walk to Cairns Hospital, take the line 110 bus to Cairns City bus station, platform 1, walk to Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal, take the ferry to Great Barrier Reef Green Island, then walk to Great Barrier Reef. Alternatively, you can take the subway to San Francisco International Airport, walk to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) airport, fly to Cairns (CNS), walk to Cairns Airport, take the shuttle to Cairns Base Hospital, walk to Cairns Hospital, take the line 110 bus to Cairns City bus station, platform 1, walk to Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal, take the ferry to Great Barrier Reef Green Island, then walk to Great Barrier Reef.

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